Couple rescues abused orange tabby, but can't afford medical bills, hoping to find it new home

UPDATE Thursday 3:15 p.m. (by Billie): Good news -- "Pharoah," the orange tabby, has a new home with lots of love and attention and goods things just for him. He's a special boy who will surely bring special joy!

A week or so ago, Shawn Szczygiel, of Pembroke, went to a location -- we won't say where to protect the possibly innocent -- and spotted an orange tabby cat that needed a home.

A few days later, Szczygiel decided to see if the cat was still available, according to his girlfriend Sara Thayer, and discovered somehow, the cat's tail had been cut in half.

A person in a position to observe the cat told Szczygiel, "I think someone has been abusing him."

He took the cat home and he and Thayer took the cat to a vet. What the vet discovered horrified the couple.

The cat's tail was infected, but worse, the cat had been shot with BBs.

"She also mentioned that he would need X-rays -- she said it felt like he had been kicked and he might have kidney damage from it," Thayer said.

In the short time, Szczygiel and Thayer had the cat, Thayer said they fell in love with it. Like a typical orange tabby, it is friendly and loving and demands constant petting.

"She gave my boyfriend and I an estimate of the care the cat would need," Thayer said. "Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, there was no way for us to afford it. It was heartbreaking for us to agree to this option, but the vet offered to keep it there and do the surgeries and try to find him a good home. So I signed him over, with tears in my eyes."

In signing the cat over, Thayer had to agree that the cat cold be euthanized if no home is found for it.

She's hoping somebody will see this article and agree to adopt "Pharoah."

"I would be heartbroken to find out if he did have to get put down," Thayer said. "He was so, so, so sweet and just a beautiful cat. If I had any way at ALL to pay for the surgery, I would have kept him in a heartbeat."

Thayer is also concerned that a case of animal cruelty happened so close to home.

"I also want people to be aware of what happened here," Thayer said. "It's sickening. This cat was an angel, and according to the vet only 8 to 12 months old. I am praying that he is given to a good home and that this raises awareness of animal cruelty. He wasn't found in a city like Rochester or anything. This happened right here in Pembroke, where it's quiet and calm, seemingly."

Shawn and Sara I feel your pain. I have myself a beautiful companion that was resuced from an abusive situation. When I got he I guess she had been kicked around and hung up by her back feet. She has been with me for 6 years now. She is the most loving and friendly cat you could ever know, but I can tell you I was the first person she trusted after being rescued. Its an amazing thing when you end up with a bond like this with a cat. I spent a month with nothing but gas money and PB sandwiches to get Misty's bills paid and get her into a safe home. She has returned the support emotionally as well. The last year I have been on disability fighting to keep my toe and foot. The amazing thing has been every time theres been an infection setting in, I have been able to tell by her actions, no matter where I end up sitting or laying down w my foot up she will be there as close to me as possible nuzzling and purring til I am able to sleep. Have faith, there are alot of loving caring people out there. With what you've described of his personality anyone who is just thinking bout adopting him will just melt at his personality despite the cruelty shown to him by people. It people like you who are Saints to these poor animals victimized by the jerks of our society.

I called to see if I could help pay bills or if the cat needed a home but they said everything was ok. I was able to pay for the care and take the cat into my family i did NOT want her put DOWN under any event!!!!! I have shelter cats and I take the ones that would other wise be put down.NOW let us get to the person or I use the term person but I have other words for them that I can not use here.The people that did what they did to this poor cat.I know that you might think that you got away with something but I can tell you that you did not get away with anything.You can be quite sure that your life is going to be filled with bad things and there is a GOD in HEAVEN that saw what you did and is not to happy with your poor and very mean choice. I would not want to be you.

Lisa S -
I checked on cat because it wasn't clear if you were able to take this animal home. I did find out that the cat has a home. I intended to offer a foster or permanent home as well. If it is you and you need fostering, respite, etc. please contact me. Bless you for your efforts!
Shaw/Sara -
Sorry you were not able to keep the cat. Thanks for your unselfish act of kindness!
To the Abuser -
Karma is a *itch!

No Lisa it was not me but not for lack of trying I wanted to get the cat but they said she did not need a home. But thank you for the kind offer. I do appreciate the help and I was sad that she was already spoken for. This story made me so sick to my stomach it was very hard to even read it. And to the Karma Comment I am with you ALL the way. If the people that did this do not think this will come back to them they are so very very WRONG!!!!!!!

Thanks Billie ad the Lisas.... Its good to see people still care. Shawn and Sara its good that people with hearts like yours step in in situations like this. Too many good things in this world are lost to the cruelty and harshness of life, the loving nature of Pharoah despite knowing only and still suffering from pain inflicted by others showed him to be one of the good ones like yourselves. God Bless all of you.